Detroit Lions Stephen Peterman after the game winning kick during overtime of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Minneapolis. The Lions won 26-23. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

ALLEN PARK -- All three roster moves the Detroit Lions made this week were done in the best interests of the team.

Certainly there were varying factors for the reasons that Titus Young, Kyle Vanden Bosch and Stephen Peterman were released on Monday and Tuesday.

Some decisions were tougher than others.

By releasing Peterman and Vanden Bosch this week, it gives them a chance to look for another team.

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Cutting Young was absolutely not a surprise and trading him was not an option in the eyes of Lions general manager Martin Mayhew.

"He didn't really have any trade value. I didn't talk to anybody, I didn't call 32 GMs and try to get a 7th if (draft pick) or anything like that,'' Mayhew said on Thursday. "It's my job to know what his value is and he didn't have any trade value.''

Young, a second-round pick in 2011, is talented but that wasn't the issue.

"I think it was an accumulation of a lot of things and we're always -- the thing we always have to keep in mind is what's best for the team as we move forward,'' coach Jim Schwartz said on Thursday. "And just like making decisions with Peterman and Vanden Bosch we also had to make a decision here that was best for the team.

"You can be at peace with decisions like that as long as you recognize that you're making the decision that's best for the team and that's what we did,'' Schwartz added.

In Young's situation, the Lions may have learned a few lessons.

Mayhew said it wasn't easy because they made a big investment in him.

"It didn't work out, time to move on,'' Mayhew said. "I think one of the things we have to do as an organization is understand when it is time to move on and not hang onto guys too long.''

Cutting Vanden Bosch and Peterman was tougher.

"Two guys who have been warriors for this franchise and have been a big part of this team going from 0-16 and getting to the playoffs a couple years ago,'' Schwartz said. "There are hard decisions -- not every decision is about performance, not every decision is about money and salary cap but that is part of this business now.''

Vanden Bosch brought much to the organization in his three seasons in Detroit.

"Over the last few years he really changed the culture around here, in terms of the way he prepared, the way he worked. He's a great example guy for the guys in the locker room,'' Mayhew said. "That was a very, very difficult decision for what he's brought to our franchise and the person he is.''

Vanden Bosch was wooed to Detroit by Schwartz who coached him with the Tennessee Titans.

"It was what it is, he's a guy who's been incredibly productive over the course of his career,'' Schwartz said. "I don't know if there's a more respected player in our locker room or even throughout the league. His performance, his toughness, his work ethic, his leadership has spoken for itself over the years.''

It was clear Mayhew and Schwartz have nothing but respect for Vanden Bosch and Peterman.

"Peterman another guy, very hard worker, very smart guy, solid veteran guy in the locker room,'' Mayhew said. "We really appreciate his efforts over the years.''

Peterman, who played seven seasons with the Lions, started every game the last three seasons.

"Those guys are good football players,'' Mayhew said. "Peterman specifically asked if we going to make a move like that if we could make it as soon as we could. We want to give him an opportunity to catch on someplace else.''

The three cuts were just the start of roster changes for the Lions after the 4-12 finish.

The offensive and defensive lines will be reconfigured mostly through the draft and free agency.